Shedd Aquarium551

The world's largest indoor aquarium, The Shedd is both an aquarium and an oceanarium - a home for marine mammals.

Shedd's blue iguanas, Marley and Eleanor, for instance, have lived behind the scenes since 1998 and are part of a breeding program. Families can visit them and learn about their plight in the 1,200-square-foot rocky habitat, Waters of the World.

Shedd's Wild Reef exhibit has one of the most diverse displays of sharks in North America, shown with other large predators in a 400,000-gallon habitat. Floor-to-ceiling exhibit windows give guests a divers'-eye view of a Philippine coral reef, teeming with live corals and more than 500 species of reef fishes of all shapes, colors and sizes.

The exhibit's 26 interconnected habitats - totaling more than 750,000 gallons of water - are housed in a $47 million underground wing. To avoid lines, buy tickets for this exhibit in advance.

The Oceanarium houses Pacific white-sided dolphins, artificial "habitats" that re-create the Pacific coastline, and an underwater viewing gallery for a peek at what the mammals do when they're submerged.

The Aquarium's hot spot is the Caribbean Reef, a 90,000 gallon tank (with another tank inside it, to protect the small fish from the bigger, hungry ones), full of Moray Eels, nurse sharks, barracuda, and the colorful clown fish. Visit at feeding time, and you'll be treated to a special conversation with a microphoned diver to learn more about the Reef's residents.

Amazon Rising is a trip through the rain forest, with a real curtain of rain, sloths, anacondas, piranhas, and stingrays.

Don't miss the Seahorse Symphony and the Beluga Whales while you're there!

The Shedd Explorers Summer Camp program is open to children ages 11 to 14 and includes live-animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, visits to the aquarium exhibits, outdoor learning, and more. The one-week camps are set up by age, and run Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm.

Family Membership is $125-$140/year and includes free and priority entry to the Aquarium, Oceanarium, and Special Exhibits for two adults and four children (18 and under) of member household, 10% discounts in Aquarium retail stores and restaurants, and two membership cards for one or two adults at same household address.

CityPass: Shedd is a participant in CityPass, the most convenient way to visit five famous city attractions for one low price. Tickets are combined in an easy booklet with no waiting in ticket lines.

Go Chicago Card: Unlimited admission to Shedd and to over 25 attractions and tours, as well as savings of up to 20% at some of Chicago's retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues is available with the purchase of a Go Chicago Card.